The Manic Street Preachers, also known simply as the Manics, are a Welsh rock band formed in Blackwood, Caerphilly, in 1986. The band consists of Nicky Wire and cousins James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore. They form a key part of the 1990s Welsh Cool Cymru cultural movement. Many of their songs have a left-wing political element, and the band is still going strong, with a very loyal following of die-hard fans.
I thought they were talented and ‘different’, but never quite liked them enough to buy one of their albums. Then in 1996, I heard a new record from them, released as a single from an album. I was very impressed with what sounded to me like a mini-symphony, and I bought the CD single with the extended mix. I like to revisit the song now and again, reminding myself just how much I liked it 28 years ago. It takes a minute to get going but then becomes something of an ‘anthem’, and the orchestration makes it for me.
The lyrics are still relevant in modern Britain. Play it with the volume high.
Libraries gave us power
Then work came and made us free
What price now
For a shallow piece of dignity
I wish I had a bottle
Right here in my dirty face
To wear the scars
To show from where I came
We don’t talk about love
We only wanna get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
I wish I had a bottle
Right here in my pretty face
To wear the scars
To show from where I came
We don’t talk about love
We only wanna get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
We don’t talk about love
We only wanna get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
A design for
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: James Bradfield / Jones Nicholas / Sean Moore
A Design for Life lyrics © BMG Rights Management
beetleypete 
This is new to me. Thanks, Pete.
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I’m not sure it was ever released in America, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I have a bottle of spring water right here in my (pretty?) face as I listen to the music.
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A sensible choice of beverage, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Cool. Warmest regards, Ed
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Glad you liked it, Ed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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90s bands like the Manics really pulled Wales out of the music doldrums!
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They really did, and then it sort-of stopped.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Another new one, of course. I do like the orchestration, the big sound.
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That’s why it appealed to me.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This is another group that’s new to me.
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I’m not sure they are known at all in America, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for the new to me music!
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I doubt they were well-known in America, Annette. Glad you liked it.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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new to me –
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I think it would be, as I don’t suppose they were well-known in America.
Best wishes, Pete.
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There was so much good stuff from that time….not too famous here but a great enduring tune. chuq
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I liked the combination of the politically angry lyrics and the sweeping orchestral background.
Best wishes, Pete.
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One of their better ones.
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It’s the only one of theirs I ever bought, but I still like it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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